The Bishop of Dorking would be ‘delighted’ if a woman was appointed to replace him following his retirement this autumn.

Bishop Ian Brackley’s comments came as he announced that he will retire to Petersfield, East Hampshire, this September after nearly 20 years in the role.

The bishop said: “I am 67 and I had entered into an agreement that once the new Bishop of Guildford , Andrew Watson, was appointed, that I would retire – it was a natural succession.

“It felt like the right time. I had a period of ill health last year, which I am over, but it was the proper time to leave.”

The bishop’s successor will likely be announced by next Easter after a series of consultations within the diocese.

Asked whether he would like to see a female bishop take on his role, Mr Brackley said: “I would be absolutely delighted, but they have to choose the right person.

“I was a great supporter of women priests being ordained and I am very happy that women bishops have now been welcomed into the church. There are a number of vacancies in the Church of England that many capable women could fill. There is every possibility that my successor will be a woman.

“The church is relatively conservative and it takes time to respond to change, but we respect other people’s opinions who might feel differently – we want to keep them within the church and listen to their opinions.”

Mr Brackley sees himself as a liberal member of the clergy with progressive views, including on the issue of gay clergy. At the moment, the Church of England accepts gay clergy but asks them to remain celibate.

Mr Brackley said: “That is the position at the moment. However, we are having discussions within the diocese and nationally this autumn about this.

"The church will move slowly on this, but we have got to be aware that this is a big issue for some people. I think it will be like women in the church – it will become more accepted as time goes on.

"The church has always had gay clergy, but it was not transparent about this. I think we need to be more up front about it in the future.”